Outcome of skin graft versus flap surgery in the salvage of the exposed achilles tendon in diabetics versus nondiabetics.

Background: Achilles tendon wounds pose a reconstructive dilemma because of the tendon's functional importance and the paucity of soft tissue surrounding the ankle. The currently accepted treatment is to repair the wound with a flap (local, pedicled, or free). In this article, the authors examine whether skin graft coverage of the exposed Achilles tendon is a viable option for reconstruction and whether the comorbidity of diabetes affects the outcome.